The Best of…The Devil Wears Prada
We get behind the shouting and the tattoos.
Before his band took to the stage in support of Enter Shikari recently, we spoke to Mike Hranica, vocalist with The Devil Wears Prada.
Best news you’ve had today?
I went to the North Face store, I liked that…worst news I’ve had today – I can’t afford a £250 coat!
Best thing about touring the UK?
Just the general different culture, it’s close to back home but different. I like touring the US a lot, I like being from the US and living in the US, but it’s still good to be able to switch stuff a bit and be able to see something a little bit different. Also, the fact that the UK doesn’t have a totally different language and that not everything is completely different to what I’m used to back home – that kind of thing makes it easier to be away from the US. It still sucks being away from the US, but it’s not like going to Japan.
Best thing about being in The Devil Wears Prada?
Being able to perform and make music. I really enjoy being able to play shows all the time and also when it’s time to write a new record, write some lyrics or record some parts. I like spreading the message we have…I guess there’s a lot of good things.
Best song your band has written?
It would definitely be something off the newer record because we feel that’s pretty up to par with what we can do – the old stuff we’re pretty discontent with. I’d say either Danger Wildman or Gimme Half.
Best line you’ve ever written?
Er…I can’t really answer that. A lot of them mean a lot to me, and I think I’m happy with how I put it together and everything but I don’t think I could pick out a favourite.
Best thing about your fellow band members?
Best thing about James is that he has good intentions a lot and is generally just warm-hearted. Chris, best thing about him is he’s goofy and really funny but also that he’s one of those who are really good at what they do, whether it’s tattooing, painting, writing music, recording music, graphic design – he does a lot. The best thing about Dan is that he’s pretty smart, even when being smart is a bad thing for him, he’s still intelligent enough to make good decisions – for the most part! The best thing about Andy is that he’s funny and he never complains, and the best thing about Jeremy is…I really don’t like anything about Jeremy! The best thing about Jeremy is that he goes to sleep sometimes and when he’s asleep he doesn’t talk, haha!
Best gig you’ve ever played?
This year, probably either San Diego on the Warped Tour, LA on Warped Tour or our headline show in Orlando. All the shows over here have been really good too, much better than what we were expecting.
Best band you’ve ever shared a stage with?
Probably Underoath, we’ve toured with a lot of great bands but, without wanting to idolise them, they are just so musically talented, they have their heads on straight. They’re childish, but more mature than us. Definitely one of my favourite bands to be around.
Best gig you’ve ever seen as a fan?
When I was about 14/15, I went with some friends to see The Chariot, It Dies Today and Throwdown and it was, at the time, my favourite show of all time. Back then I didn’t get to go to many big shows and it was just nuts. I still love The Chariot today.
Best band ever?
For a long time my favourite band in the world was Jimmy Eat World, but lately it’s been Converge and I’m pretty confident in going with them.
Best album ever?
Woah! That is a tough one! I have no idea, I’ll go through phases where I’ll like one record and listen to it over and over. Within the past year it’s pretty much been everything by Converge – the newer ones are probably my favourites. I also liked The Ghost Inside and Parkway Drive this year…that doesn’t really answer the question does it?! But, in 2009, they have been my most listened to.
Best song ever?
Err…I could say my favourite radio song ever, I could say my favourite fast song ever, my favourite breakdown ever…but favourite song ever…wow. I wanna come in with a really good answer, some song that means a lot to me, or I could say a joke answer – this hard for me to keep with the good news theme because I’m a cynical person! I’m gonna say Last Light by Converge.
Best vocalist ever?
Jake Bannon from Converge once again! I’m also a big Josh Scogin fan from old Norma Jean to a lot of what The Chariot has done. Those two are definitely two of my favourites, but there’s a lot of guys who can really command a crowd.
Best movie ever?
Probably Shawshank Redemption.
Best ice cream flavour?
It depends where I’m going, but I’d say, generally, if I’m just going to a grocery I would get Cookie Dough, which sounds stereotypical but there’s just something about it where, not that it’s made to be less frozen, but it’s just so soft and it’s the best.
Best pizza topping?
I don’t know, I like specific combinations. My ideal pizza is The Bronx Bomber from a place called Dewy’s, which is in Cincinnati, where I lived before I moved to Chicago, and it’s sausage, pepperoni, black olives and mushrooms – it sounds simple but it’s my favourite.
Best day of your life?
Wow! That’s another tough question, I’m too cynical! I don’t know, I can’t really pick a favourite. I imagine – this is gonna sound the most cliched thing in the world – but I imagine the day I get married is gonna be the happiest day of my life. To not answer the question in the future, there’s been a lot of great days where I just sleep in, eat good food, hang out with my friends and play shows. I’ve had a lot of good days.
Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
I don’t know, I’ve never had some wise old man with a beard come up to me give me advice! I’d say all the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received have been lyrically, through songs, and anyone’s attitude of perseverance and persistence and just a general message to keep pushing, that would be the best advice that could be given.
Photography: Dave Musson Photography
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Nice man. Seems you like a lot of things i do. I want to know why touring in Japan is bad? You dont like change eh?